Anois, the Deputy Leader on the Order of Business. It is the last sitting and I have allowed time to slip, so the shortness of the reply will be mostly my fault.

I thank the Cathaoirleach. We have had 26 Senators today. I think that is a record, certainly in my time taking Order of Business. I will try to be as quick as possible while, in fairness, giving respect to all of those who did raise issues and deserve a reply. I will also add my voice of welcome to the ambassador and our distinguished guests from Canada, particularly to Mr. James Maloney, MP, who was so very kind to us when the foreign affairs committee visited just before Christmas. We certainly look forward to an excellent relationship going forward.

We started with Senator Anne Rabbitte, who spoke about the Minister for justice's decision to bring a memo to Cabinet in relation to dealing with extreme pornography. Stark research shows us why this is needed; 15- and 16-year-olds, particularly boys, have seen violent pornography. This is distorting attitudes and behaviours in regard to relationships. The Senator also paid tribute to Mr. Mick Mangan and Ms Fiona Jennings for their work in this area. Senator Mullen also spoke about the importance of this and we acknowledge the work of Deputy Cathal Crowe. When I was Chair of the Oireachtas education committee, it was one of the recommendations we put forward in a report at the same time.

Senator Rabbitte also spoke about the need for Skyclarys, which is on the agenda for the HSE meeting today. We hope for a positive result and that there will be action after that.

Senator Stephenson also spoke about that matter.

Senator Scahill spoke about the need for debate on the regional spatial and economic strategy, RSES. As he said, it is a blueprint for investment in housing and industry. We need to see ambition across all our local authorities and we must encourage them to put forward very proactive submissions. We certainly will seek a debate on that issue when we return.

Senator Mullen spoke about the very tragic murder of Ann Widdecombe, who certainly came across as a person of great conviction and great faith. She was very forthright in her views. As in any situation, everybody's views should be treated with respect and tolerance. It is very sad that within a ten-year period, two sitting MPs and a former MP have been tragically murdered. We remember, of course, Jo Cox and Sir David Amess. There will be a mass at 12.45 p.m. tomorrow at St. Teresa's Church on Clarendon Street. I encourage those who can do so to attend.

Senator Tully raised a problem with the social welfare system whereby people who come off welfare for a short period either to take a seasonal job or a position on a CE scheme find it takes a long time to get back on their benefits. She spoke about a situation where it took three months. I certainly will bring that issue to the attention of the Minister, Deputy Calleary. It is not good enough and we need to change it.

Senator Harmon spoke about the redevelopment of the Bessborough site. That decision was taken by An Bord Pleanála, as she knows, but we absolutely empathise with all of those concerned by it. We must recall that there are 19 mothers and 859 infants still missing from that time. The Senator also spoke about the need to have access to safe swimming and for a new lido in Cork. I will ask the Minister of State, Deputy McConalogue, to come to the House for a debate on swimming as a sport and access to swimming, not just from a sport perspective but also from a health perspective. A new strategy was launched three to four years ago but, unfortunately, our facilities have not been kept up to scratch in terms of the ambition in the strategy.

Senator Flaherty referred to a situation regarding a GP contract in Longford, with a satellite surgery in Lanesborough. He is absolutely right to keep pushing that issue. I am dealing with a similar situation between Blessington and Ballymore Eustace, which has been going on for years without being resolved. I completely support Senator Flaherty. I will speak to him after the Order of Business to see what we can do to help the situation.

Senator Nelson Murray spoke about the announcement by the Government that there will be five days' paid miscarriage leave. I am reminded that our colleague, Senator Nicole Ryan, brought a proposal to us in that regard only last year. The Minister, Deputy Calleary, is working on the establishment of a baby loss register, which should help with the grieving process. Miscarriage is a very sad time for all those impacted. He is also working on the introduction of a certificate of early baby loss. All of that is very worthwhile work.

Senator Keogan referred to the EU Presidency, the EU migration pact and her concerns about border guards. We need to share intelligence and ensure we have a highly effective, technology-savvy police force.

Senator Comyn spoke about football and thanked the Louth team for all it gave. The Louth footballers certainly gave their all. The Senator congratulated the Mayo team on its win. She referred to the problems with people getting public transport from Dundalk and Drogheda to the match and the ongoing problem of the car parks at those train stations being full. I have often heard her speaking about that. We need a debate on this issue. Train transport is brilliant when it is available to people. Senator Casey noted that Wicklow and Sligo do not have that problem but people there wish they did. In Meath, people are still waiting for a train station at Navan. We need a debate on rail transport, including train services, parking facilities and the need for a train station on the north side of Drogheda.

Senator Byrne welcomed Councillor Marie-Thérèse Duffy from Ballina, who has just left with her brother. The Senator spoke about the act of heroism at the weekend in Rosslare, where a man jumped into the sea to save a child. He got into difficulty and four other people jumped in, so the Coast Guard and other emergency services had to come together to pull six people out. I can imagine the complete panic of everybody witnessing it. Thank God they are all okay.

Recently, I was down at the Coast Guard station in Westport. It is incredible to see the work done by our volunteers. It is not just a matter of the sea because we heard about another fatality at a lake in Mullingar over the weekend. Our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the 17-year-old man who sadly died.

Senator Curley spoke about the need to have extra time for those with learning difficulties during State exams. Fianna Fáil used its Private Members' time to debate a motion on this. We were given a commitment at the time in question that extra time would be made available. Sadly, it is only ten minutes. When we compare that with what is allowed in England, where there is 25% more time, we realise we certainly need a better system. A review has been carried out. We need the findings to be published and acted upon.

Senator Andrews spoke about the Irish Glass Bottle site and the social housing there. He wanted to emphasise that the houses there are safe but that there is concern about the next phase. We need clarity in relation to that.

Senator Kennelly spoke about Kerry football and how wonderful the Kerry team is. Of course it is wonderful. He also raised issues about public transport for the supporters. To be fair to Iarnród Éireann and Bus Éireann, they generally put on a lot of trains and buses. We are beseeching them, and we will ask the Minister to step in if necessary.

Senator Fitzpatrick spoke about her disappointment over Dublin. I have to say, it was some match. We were all absolutely glued to it. It was anybody's game. It was just a terrific match. The Senator spoke about TII acquiring the Carlton site. This will be for MetroLink, as we know, but there is a lot of space and a lot of potential. There is great potential there for affordable homes. Together with developments at Moore Street and the GPO, there is going to be a wonderful transformation of O'Connell Street. We certainly will ask the Taoiseach to come in and give us an update on the Dublin city task force. Beside the Carlton site for housing, there could be space for a cultural site. There has been a lot of talk always about the Abbey Theatre moving. This could be a great home for that also.

Senator Flynn spoke about the situation impacting the Traveller community, and said that sometimes there is collective punishment as opposed to concern about individuals' bad actions. She described a situation that I was sorry to hear about. Our legislation is to protect all of us, no matter where we are from or what ethnic group we are from, but also for us to live by responsibly.

Senator Gallagher spoke about the lack of returns on savings in banks. We need a public campaign to ensure that people are getting the best value for money that they have in savings, whether they are saving for a mortgage or for a pension. It is not too easy to have money in your bank account, so we absolutely need to have the best return for our money. We will ask the Minister for Finance to come in and discuss that.

Senator Duffy congratulated the Mayo team and spoke about the community in Crossmolina being very concerned about proposals by Bord na Móna to construct a route around Crossmolina. It appears there has been a lack of engagement and consultation. We need a proper process. I certainly agree with the Senator on that, and we will appeal to Bord na Móna through the Minister's office.

Senator Casey spoke about a wonderful victory for Wicklow over the weekend, on Saturday. We were all absolutely delighted to see Wicklow win the Tailteann Cup. He wanted to thank the management, players, county board and the supporters, and also the sponsor, which I know he helped to secure for the team.

Senator Casey mentioned the fact that there is a deficit of public transport.

With so many people moving to Wicklow now, we need that to improve.

Senator Stephenson spoke about concerns from FLAC in relation to legal aid and concerns that those who are suffering from domestic violence are not getting the legal supports they need. There is engagement between the Minister, the Department and those representing the legal profession. It is important that room and opportunity is given to try to come to a conclusion.

Senator McCarthy raised the Taste of Wicklow festival in the Abbey Grounds in Wicklow. It is a new social enterprise in the grounds of Wicklow Abbey. It sounds like a great weekend. Rise is going to remain at the Abbey, supported by the local authorities. It is important that, where we can, we support these different types of social enterprise activities. The Senator also mentioned Vision Ireland's call for a national vision strategy. I agree that we need such a strategy.

Senator Lynch raised the all-Ireland road bowling championships in Ballinagree and the hundreds of people who gathered there. It is wonderful to see that. However, the Senator is right in that the minority traditional games are not getting enough recognition. We look for a debate with the Minister of State, Deputy McConalogue, about that. Likewise with women in sport such as Denise Murphy and Briege Corkey, it is wonderful to see that they gave their time to what was happening.

Senator Reilly raised e-scooters and the case of an older lady in Cavan who is visually impaired. As the Senator described, I can absolutely appreciate that it was a very difficult situation. We have legislation. The laws are being ignored. We need better implementation and awareness. We need people to respect the laws of the land that are there. That is so important.

Senator Boyhan raised the 949 councillors, who are concerned about not having updates on the findings and outcomes of the local democracy task force. He will no doubt appreciate that the Minister, Deputy Browne, has an incredible amount on his desk. The Senator has always been vocal about how much work goes into the new draft rural guidelines statement. It is important to acknowledge that. It took up a huge amount of time. When it comes through the next process and the local authorities do their development plans, that is going to make a real difference. I totally understand the disappointment. We will certainly ask for a briefing as soon as possible. The Senator rightly thanked the outgoing president of the AILG, who did wonderful work. Equally, I wish the incoming president, Aengus O'Rourke, the very best of luck during his term.